Find out how popular the last name Tharakan is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Tharakan.

Tharakan, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Tharakan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tharakan in America

Tharakan is the 89069th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tharakan surname appeared 208 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Tharakan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tharakan to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Tharakan

The surname THARAKAN is of Indian origin, specifically from the southern state of Kerala. It is believed to have its roots in the ancient Malayalam language, which has been spoken in this region for centuries.

The name THARAKAN is derived from the word "tharaka," which means "star" or "celestial body" in Malayalam. It is thought to have been a title or honorific bestowed upon individuals or families associated with astrology, astronomy, or the study of celestial bodies.

One of the earliest mentions of the name THARAKAN can be found in ancient palm leaf manuscripts from the 9th century CE, which were authored by renowned scholars and astronomers from Kerala. These manuscripts detail intricate calculations and observations of celestial events.

In the 12th century CE, a prominent astronomer named Nilakantha Somayaji THARAKAN made significant contributions to the field of astronomy. His work, titled "Tantrasangraha," which translates to "Compendium of Astronomical Principles," is considered a seminal text in Indian astronomy.

Another notable figure with the surname THARAKAN was Unni Rama Iyen THARAKAN, who lived in the 16th century CE. He was a revered astrologer and mathematician, renowned for his expertise in the field of astronomical calculations.

During the medieval period, the THARAKAN surname was often associated with the regions of Thrissur and Malappuram in Kerala, where many families with this name resided and practiced their scholarly pursuits.

In the 18th century, a renowned poet and scholar named Kunjan Nambiar THARAKAN gained recognition for his literary works, which celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Kerala and explored themes of spirituality and nature.

As the THARAKAN surname evolved, it also became linked to certain geographical locations within Kerala. For instance, the village of Tharakkunnu, which translates to "Hill of the Stars," is believed to have derived its name from the THARAKAN family's association with celestial studies.

While the THARAKAN surname has its roots in ancient times, it continues to be a prominent surname in Kerala, carrying with it a rich legacy of scholarship, astronomy, and cultural significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tharakan

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Tharakan.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Tharakan was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Tharakan has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Tharakan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tharakan, please contact us.

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